By Dean Anderson, Behavioral Psychology Expert
There are several kinds of motivation problems that people run into, and each requires a different set of strategies. Let's start here with a little quiz to find out which motivational problems you might be dealing with.
Get out a small piece of paper to mark your answers to the following five questions. Respond to each statement with "True" if you think it applies to you more often than not or "False" if you think it doesn’t apply most of the time. Next, indicate on a scale of 1-10, how big of a role you think the statement plays in your motivation problems. If you think it plays almost no role, give it a one. If you think it is by far the most important factor in your motivation problems, give it a 10.
1. True or False: My motivation seems to depend on what the scale (or tape measure, fit of my clothes, etc.) says. I feel motivated when I see results, but unmotivated when I don’t. SCORE (1-10): _____
2. True or False: I feel like I am in a constant battle with myself. In my “normal” state, I want to eat whatever I like, whenever I want it, and/or my body just naturally gravitates towards the couch. It’s very hard to make myself do what I know I need to do. SCORE (1-10): _____
3. True or False: I really want to eat healthy and exercise most of the time, but I just can’t seem to resist the temptations that I run into most days. SCORE (1-10): _____
4. True or False: I think I would do much better if I had more control over my life and my time. There are just so many demands on me that I can’t fit exercise and healthy meals into my day as often as I want to. SCORE (1-10): _____
5. True or False: I do well for a few hours (or days or weeks), but then I have a bad time and things really go downhill. All I see is what I did wrong, not all the things I did well. I get flooded with negative feelings, and just want to give up. SCORE (1-10): _____
Interpret Your Results: Identifying Problems & Solutions
QUESTION 1
If you marked this statement True, and gave it a high score (5+), you are relying too much on external (extrinsic) forms of motivation and need to work on developing your internal (intrinsic) motivation.
There is nothing at all wrong with extrinsic motivation—we all need to see some concrete, measurable progress towards equally concrete and measurable goals. But, since these external results are so fickle and unpredictable when it comes to weight loss, you also need some internal motivation to keep you going when the scale (or your body) isn’t cooperating with your expectations. Here’s a simple exercise you can do to find out which sources of internal motivation might work best for you:
Imagine you live on a planet where scales and mirrors have never existed, where everyone wears one-size-fits-all unisex robes that effectively disguise their actual physical appearances. There are no standard height and weight charts, and your doctor has never heard of the Body Mass Index or waist-to-hip ratios. How will you decide whether your body is the way you want it to be? If you decide some changes are necessary, how will you know whether you are making progress towards those changes?
For example, ask yourself how you’re handling everyday tasks, like squatting down to pick something up, getting up from a chair, or working on your feet all day. If you’re carrying some extra weight, it may begin to affect your performance or comfort level when doing these activities. To make things easier, you may decide to reduce your calorie intake to get back down to a manageable size and building strength to make moving easier. Set a concrete, measurable goal that will make you feel better—like getting up out of the chair without using your arms—and set up an exercise program that will strengthen your muscles and improve your endurance. Keep track of your progress by noticing changes in your ability to handle your daily activities. Use the same approach if your physical condition is causing problems with your moods or energy levels. Remember when you felt mostly good and ask yourself what you did to feel that way (not what your weight may have been). Start doing more of what you did then, as best you can, and experiment with different exercises and foods until you come up with options that help you feel the way you want to.
You get the basic idea here: weight is not the real problem, and losing weight is not the real solution. The problem is how you feel and what you can do. The solution is doing things that make you feel better (physically and mentally) and improve your functional abilities. To find out what those things are, you need to look inside yourself and observe what happens when you try different things. Once you have some ideas along these lines, try to turn them into specific goals and measurable outcomes you can incorporate into your SparkPeople program.
QUESTION 2
If you answered True to this statement and gave it a high score (5+), you may have some inaccurate assumptions about what motivation means and feels like.
Many people seem to think that "being motivated" means not having to struggle with opposing desires. Not so. It is our nature as human beings to pursue both the gratification of our senses (eating what we like when we want it) and the psychological gratification of achieving meaningful but more abstract goals (being healthy, fit or attractive).
Judging one of these pursuits as superior to the other is to deny half of what and who you are, and set yourself up for endless inner conflict and turmoil—not exactly the stuff motivation is made of, right?
Your motivation will be much stronger and consistent when you focus on making conscious choices about what you can do consistently to meet all of your needs and desires.
QUESTIONS 3 and 4
A True response to either or both of these questions and a high score (5+) indicate that you may be assuming that your behavior is dictated by external factors (the needs of other people or the “appeal” of tasty foods), rather than by internal factors (your own values and decision-making processes). It is very difficult, if not impossible, to stay motivated when you believe you have little choice about what to do or how to manage your own feelings and desires.
One thing you can do to begin transforming these assumptions about who or what is controlling your behavior and choices, is to put the "I" back into your vocabulary. Take a closer look at how you define problems and situations in words. When you start using "I" statements to describe problems, as suggested there, you will automatically reprogram your mind to look for ways you can put yourself in control of what you think, feel, and do.
QUESTION 5
If you answered True to this and gave it a high score (5+), you probably struggle with some strong either/or and all-or-nothing thought patterns, as well as an overdose of perfectionism. These habits are real motivation-killers. The emotional upset they cause when things inevitably don’t go perfectly makes it impossible to stay focused on what really matters: what you can learn from your slip-ups to do better next time.
Unfortunately, just telling yourself to stop being such a perfectionist and to start thinking in both/and terms rarely solves this problem. You need to learn more about how this problem develops and how to effectively break the cycle of pessimism and self-defeat.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Tame the Emotional Eating Beast for Good
3 Ways to Get Back on Track
By Dean Anderson, Behavioral Psychology Expert
When weight loss professionals discuss emotional eating, you hear a lot of talk about stimulus control, stress management techniques, and cognitive reframing. This is all well and good (and you’ll be hearing some of that here), but it doesn’t quite capture the actual experience of being caught up in an episode of emotional eating. Recently someone I know got much closer to capturing the experience when she described it as “waking up the Slumbering Beast” we have inside us.
This really is what it feels like, at least in my experience. You’re doing OK, cruising along, when suddenly something happens that stirs up a bunch of feelings, and all of a sudden the Beast is awake and eating everything it can get its hands on. Or maybe it isn’t always that dramatic—maybe you just get bored, or start feeling a little anxious because there is nothing going on to distract you from that vague sense of impending doom that always seems to be lurking just under the surface. Even that little bit of free-floating anxiety can be enough to wake the Beast up and set it on the prowl for something to eat. Or it might be as simple as getting home from work or school, or finding yourself alone for a little while, after a hard day. Whatever the trigger might be, the Beast isn’t about to go back to sleep without doing some serious eating first. Or so the story normally goes.
There are two basic and complimentary approaches you can use to tame the Beast before it trashes your food plan, and you’ll need both for long-term success. The difference between them is the same as the difference between emergency medicine and preventive medicine. The main focus here will be on coping with the immediate emergency. You’ll find more information about the preventive approach, aimed at putting an end to the problem for good, in the links at the end of this article.
When the Beast is Loose: Getting It Back in Its Cage
The bad news here is that will power has little effect on controlling emotional eating. From a psychological perspective, the shift into emotional eating mode is usually a “state-dependent” event, which is a fancy way of saying that it involves shifting into a different state of consciousness (or persona) with its own independent set of emotions and related thinking patterns. For a little while, you literally aren’t your normal self, and the normal tricks you use to manage your behavior and thinking may not work.
The good news is that your Emotional Eating Beast is a pretty dim-witted critter, and you can trick it into going back where it came from without too much effort, if you know how to do it. Here are some tricks that usually work:
Play the Stalling Game. Your Beast has a very short attention span, and if you can manage to stall it for just a few minutes on its way to the kitchen, it will often forget why it woke up in the first place, and happily go back where it came from. So, instead of trying to fight it and tell it that it can’t have what it wants, just tell it to hang on for five minutes and wait until you’re done doing what you’re doing. If necessary, you can usually get away with stalling like this 2-3 times before things start to get ugly, and most of the time, that 10-15 minutes will be plenty long enough for your Beast to forget the whole business and go back to sleep.
Play the Distraction/Substitution Game. If your Beast doesn’t fall for the Stalling Game, you can still use your superior mental capacities to keep the upper hand. The key here is to keep in mind that what your Beast really wants isn’t food, but emotional comfort. If you can find ways to comfort yourself that don’t involve food, the need to eat will go away very quickly. Find something you enjoy doing that’s simple and easy to do right away. Listen to soothing or inspirational music, take a hot bath or a nice walk around the block, grab the phone and chat with a friend, or do some inspirational reading—you get the idea. Think of the Beast as a young child who just woke up from a nightmare, and of yourself as the parent looking for a way to help your child calm down and realize that it was all just a bad dream.
Play the Good Beast/ Bad Beast Game. Even though the Beast may seem powerful and overwhelming, it is just as afraid of you as you are of it. It knows full well that you can and, someday, probably will just tell it to go take a hike, and that will be the end of the game. To postpone this unhappy day for as along as possible, the Beast is always willing to negotiate with you if you can muster up enough nerve to stare it in the eye and demand some sort of compromise you can live with. If you keep your kitchen stocked with healthy snacks that won’t kill your diet and your self-respect, and you let the Beast get its hands on them, then you can both stay relatively happy—until that day when you’re ready to finally toss the Beast out and change the locks.
Once you have the immediate situation under control, you can start working on ways to prevent this problem from happening in the first place, by learning how to handle stress and powerful feelings without relying on food.
By Dean Anderson, Behavioral Psychology Expert
When weight loss professionals discuss emotional eating, you hear a lot of talk about stimulus control, stress management techniques, and cognitive reframing. This is all well and good (and you’ll be hearing some of that here), but it doesn’t quite capture the actual experience of being caught up in an episode of emotional eating. Recently someone I know got much closer to capturing the experience when she described it as “waking up the Slumbering Beast” we have inside us.
This really is what it feels like, at least in my experience. You’re doing OK, cruising along, when suddenly something happens that stirs up a bunch of feelings, and all of a sudden the Beast is awake and eating everything it can get its hands on. Or maybe it isn’t always that dramatic—maybe you just get bored, or start feeling a little anxious because there is nothing going on to distract you from that vague sense of impending doom that always seems to be lurking just under the surface. Even that little bit of free-floating anxiety can be enough to wake the Beast up and set it on the prowl for something to eat. Or it might be as simple as getting home from work or school, or finding yourself alone for a little while, after a hard day. Whatever the trigger might be, the Beast isn’t about to go back to sleep without doing some serious eating first. Or so the story normally goes.
There are two basic and complimentary approaches you can use to tame the Beast before it trashes your food plan, and you’ll need both for long-term success. The difference between them is the same as the difference between emergency medicine and preventive medicine. The main focus here will be on coping with the immediate emergency. You’ll find more information about the preventive approach, aimed at putting an end to the problem for good, in the links at the end of this article.
When the Beast is Loose: Getting It Back in Its Cage
The bad news here is that will power has little effect on controlling emotional eating. From a psychological perspective, the shift into emotional eating mode is usually a “state-dependent” event, which is a fancy way of saying that it involves shifting into a different state of consciousness (or persona) with its own independent set of emotions and related thinking patterns. For a little while, you literally aren’t your normal self, and the normal tricks you use to manage your behavior and thinking may not work.
The good news is that your Emotional Eating Beast is a pretty dim-witted critter, and you can trick it into going back where it came from without too much effort, if you know how to do it. Here are some tricks that usually work:
Play the Stalling Game. Your Beast has a very short attention span, and if you can manage to stall it for just a few minutes on its way to the kitchen, it will often forget why it woke up in the first place, and happily go back where it came from. So, instead of trying to fight it and tell it that it can’t have what it wants, just tell it to hang on for five minutes and wait until you’re done doing what you’re doing. If necessary, you can usually get away with stalling like this 2-3 times before things start to get ugly, and most of the time, that 10-15 minutes will be plenty long enough for your Beast to forget the whole business and go back to sleep.
Play the Distraction/Substitution Game. If your Beast doesn’t fall for the Stalling Game, you can still use your superior mental capacities to keep the upper hand. The key here is to keep in mind that what your Beast really wants isn’t food, but emotional comfort. If you can find ways to comfort yourself that don’t involve food, the need to eat will go away very quickly. Find something you enjoy doing that’s simple and easy to do right away. Listen to soothing or inspirational music, take a hot bath or a nice walk around the block, grab the phone and chat with a friend, or do some inspirational reading—you get the idea. Think of the Beast as a young child who just woke up from a nightmare, and of yourself as the parent looking for a way to help your child calm down and realize that it was all just a bad dream.
Play the Good Beast/ Bad Beast Game. Even though the Beast may seem powerful and overwhelming, it is just as afraid of you as you are of it. It knows full well that you can and, someday, probably will just tell it to go take a hike, and that will be the end of the game. To postpone this unhappy day for as along as possible, the Beast is always willing to negotiate with you if you can muster up enough nerve to stare it in the eye and demand some sort of compromise you can live with. If you keep your kitchen stocked with healthy snacks that won’t kill your diet and your self-respect, and you let the Beast get its hands on them, then you can both stay relatively happy—until that day when you’re ready to finally toss the Beast out and change the locks.
Once you have the immediate situation under control, you can start working on ways to prevent this problem from happening in the first place, by learning how to handle stress and powerful feelings without relying on food.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Trim 100 Calories
By Nikki Goldbeck, CDNAs a nutritionist
I have seen or heard just about everything as far as diets are concerned. I am constantly amazed by the schemes and expenses people put themselves through. In the name of weight loss, we eat some pretty awful-tasting foods, forgo getting together with friends if food is involved, or take the joy out of eating through monotonous, limited or complicated food plans.
I admit, when you stick with it, many of these diets bring the desired weight loss. People have lost hundreds of pounds using some of these methods. Unfortunately, it’s often the same 10 pounds over and over again!
No matter what the theme, many diets have one thing in common: restrictions. There are rigid rules about foods to avoid. As I explain to my clients, if you could restrict the cookies, cake, ice cream, processed foods, hidden fats and such on your own, you wouldn’t need to buy into these plans. For some reason, people are willing to avoid these foods when they’re a part of some scientific-sounding plan. But as with most diets, willpower usually wanes. Soon enough, you’re back on the roller coaster.
Make a commitment now to lose weight without the “magic bullet” that diet books promise. You need to do it in a manner that will have lasting effects and won’t restrict your life.
Here’s my proposal: It takes an excess of about 3,500 calories to gain a pound (or 35,000 calories to put on that familiar 10 pounds a year). Divide that into smaller bites, and 100 calories more or less a day can translate to about 10 pounds a year. This means losing 10 pounds can be as easy as eating 100 calories less each day for a year!
Just one dietary change may be all it takes. Each of the following changes will decrease your daily calorie intake by about 100. Please note that these figures are approximate. You can use the nutrition information on food tables and labels for more ideas.
Obviously, you can mix and match or try a couple (or more) if your goal exceeds 10 pounds. Be prepared for slow weight loss. Because losing weight at a gradual pace (1/2 to 2 pounds per week) is generally considered the best way to achieve long-term success, this is also the sensible way to achieve meaningful results.
A Plateful of Pasta
The recommended serving size on the box for pasta is 2 ounces, which is 1/2 cup cooked. The typical restaurant portion is easily four times this size. Leave just one cup on the plate (or take home leftovers).
Note: One cup cooked pasta is about the size of a tennis ball.
Resize Your Cereal
The amount of cereal eaten by adults is often twice the serving size listed on the box. Check the amount you’re pouring in relation to the serving size noted on the box.
Less Bread
Use only one slice on your sandwich. Replace the top layer of bread with lettuce.
Less Spread
Reduce the amount of butter you use by one tablespoon (and don’t replace it with the latest restaurant trend: dipping bread in olive oil).
The YoChee Way
In dips and toppings, replace 1/4 cup sour cream or whipped cream with YoChee. YoChee is a creamy, nonfat food that substitutes for butter, mayonnaise and sour cream. You make YoChee yourself by draining nonfat yogurt in a simple straining device.
Twofers
Replace two glasses of orange juice (8 ounces each) with two oranges.
Replace two slices of bread with two rice cakes.
Replace two fried chicken breasts with two broiled chicken breasts.
Replace two cups of cooked carrots with two cups of cooked cauliflower.
Dress It, Don’t Drown It
Reduce the amount of dressing on salads by about two tablespoons — use just enough to coat the salad. When dining out, request the dressing on the side.
Modify the Mayo
For every two tablespoons of mayonnaise, replace one with a tablespoon of YoChee.
The Perilous Peanut
Cut back two tablespoons of peanuts or a tablespoonful of peanut butter.
Control Popcorn Portions
Popcorn can be a great diet snack — but not if you eat the whole bag. Depending on the way it’s popped and topped, a cup can vary from 30 to 100 calories. So measure your choice accordingly. One cup of popcorn is about equal in size to a baseball.
Count Your Cookies
A single medium-sized cookie can easily have about 100 calories. Instead, try spreading a crisp cracker with a thin coat of jam instead.
The Chocolate Cheat
If chocolate is your downfall, make it go further by mixing a spoonful of chocolate chips into a bowl of mini-shredded wheat, Rice Krispies or puffed cereal. You’ll probably save 100 calories over a real chocolate indulgence.
Downsize
If you’ve been drinking a supersize 20-ounce container of soda, switch to the 12-ounce size.
Rethink Your Drink
Replace an 8-ounce glass of soda with seltzer (flavored with fruit essence if you like) or unsweetened iced tea.
Not So Sweet and Light
If you take your coffee (or tea) with sugar (16 calories per teaspoon) and cream (40 calories per two tablespoons), cut one cup of coffee to be halfway to your 100-calorie goal.
Heed the Limit
If you drink alcohol, limit your daily consumption to one drink for women and two drinks for men. A typical 5-ounce glass of wine has 100 calories; a 12-ounce serving of beer has 150 calories; and 1 1/2 ounces of distilled spirits contains 100 calories.
Lasting Last Bite(s)
Do you waste it or “waist” it?
Bite No. 1: One tablespoon of raisins left in the box — 27 caloriesBite
No. 2: Two spoonfuls of flavored (nonfat) yogurt left in the container — 20 caloriesBite
No. 3: Three mini rice cakes left in the bag — 25 caloriesBite
No. 4: One-fourth cup of apple juice left in the jar — 30 calories
Only four little “tastes” will net you more than 100 extra calories.
I have seen or heard just about everything as far as diets are concerned. I am constantly amazed by the schemes and expenses people put themselves through. In the name of weight loss, we eat some pretty awful-tasting foods, forgo getting together with friends if food is involved, or take the joy out of eating through monotonous, limited or complicated food plans.
I admit, when you stick with it, many of these diets bring the desired weight loss. People have lost hundreds of pounds using some of these methods. Unfortunately, it’s often the same 10 pounds over and over again!
No matter what the theme, many diets have one thing in common: restrictions. There are rigid rules about foods to avoid. As I explain to my clients, if you could restrict the cookies, cake, ice cream, processed foods, hidden fats and such on your own, you wouldn’t need to buy into these plans. For some reason, people are willing to avoid these foods when they’re a part of some scientific-sounding plan. But as with most diets, willpower usually wanes. Soon enough, you’re back on the roller coaster.
Make a commitment now to lose weight without the “magic bullet” that diet books promise. You need to do it in a manner that will have lasting effects and won’t restrict your life.
Here’s my proposal: It takes an excess of about 3,500 calories to gain a pound (or 35,000 calories to put on that familiar 10 pounds a year). Divide that into smaller bites, and 100 calories more or less a day can translate to about 10 pounds a year. This means losing 10 pounds can be as easy as eating 100 calories less each day for a year!
Just one dietary change may be all it takes. Each of the following changes will decrease your daily calorie intake by about 100. Please note that these figures are approximate. You can use the nutrition information on food tables and labels for more ideas.
Obviously, you can mix and match or try a couple (or more) if your goal exceeds 10 pounds. Be prepared for slow weight loss. Because losing weight at a gradual pace (1/2 to 2 pounds per week) is generally considered the best way to achieve long-term success, this is also the sensible way to achieve meaningful results.
A Plateful of Pasta
The recommended serving size on the box for pasta is 2 ounces, which is 1/2 cup cooked. The typical restaurant portion is easily four times this size. Leave just one cup on the plate (or take home leftovers).
Note: One cup cooked pasta is about the size of a tennis ball.
Resize Your Cereal
The amount of cereal eaten by adults is often twice the serving size listed on the box. Check the amount you’re pouring in relation to the serving size noted on the box.
Less Bread
Use only one slice on your sandwich. Replace the top layer of bread with lettuce.
Less Spread
Reduce the amount of butter you use by one tablespoon (and don’t replace it with the latest restaurant trend: dipping bread in olive oil).
The YoChee Way
In dips and toppings, replace 1/4 cup sour cream or whipped cream with YoChee. YoChee is a creamy, nonfat food that substitutes for butter, mayonnaise and sour cream. You make YoChee yourself by draining nonfat yogurt in a simple straining device.
Twofers
Replace two glasses of orange juice (8 ounces each) with two oranges.
Replace two slices of bread with two rice cakes.
Replace two fried chicken breasts with two broiled chicken breasts.
Replace two cups of cooked carrots with two cups of cooked cauliflower.
Dress It, Don’t Drown It
Reduce the amount of dressing on salads by about two tablespoons — use just enough to coat the salad. When dining out, request the dressing on the side.
Modify the Mayo
For every two tablespoons of mayonnaise, replace one with a tablespoon of YoChee.
The Perilous Peanut
Cut back two tablespoons of peanuts or a tablespoonful of peanut butter.
Control Popcorn Portions
Popcorn can be a great diet snack — but not if you eat the whole bag. Depending on the way it’s popped and topped, a cup can vary from 30 to 100 calories. So measure your choice accordingly. One cup of popcorn is about equal in size to a baseball.
Count Your Cookies
A single medium-sized cookie can easily have about 100 calories. Instead, try spreading a crisp cracker with a thin coat of jam instead.
The Chocolate Cheat
If chocolate is your downfall, make it go further by mixing a spoonful of chocolate chips into a bowl of mini-shredded wheat, Rice Krispies or puffed cereal. You’ll probably save 100 calories over a real chocolate indulgence.
Downsize
If you’ve been drinking a supersize 20-ounce container of soda, switch to the 12-ounce size.
Rethink Your Drink
Replace an 8-ounce glass of soda with seltzer (flavored with fruit essence if you like) or unsweetened iced tea.
Not So Sweet and Light
If you take your coffee (or tea) with sugar (16 calories per teaspoon) and cream (40 calories per two tablespoons), cut one cup of coffee to be halfway to your 100-calorie goal.
Heed the Limit
If you drink alcohol, limit your daily consumption to one drink for women and two drinks for men. A typical 5-ounce glass of wine has 100 calories; a 12-ounce serving of beer has 150 calories; and 1 1/2 ounces of distilled spirits contains 100 calories.
Lasting Last Bite(s)
Do you waste it or “waist” it?
Bite No. 1: One tablespoon of raisins left in the box — 27 caloriesBite
No. 2: Two spoonfuls of flavored (nonfat) yogurt left in the container — 20 caloriesBite
No. 3: Three mini rice cakes left in the bag — 25 caloriesBite
No. 4: One-fourth cup of apple juice left in the jar — 30 calories
Only four little “tastes” will net you more than 100 extra calories.
Friday, June 4, 2010
4 Signs It's Time to Change Your Workout Routine
When you started a regular exercise program, whether to lose weight or improve your overall health, your enthusiasm and motivation were high. Even though exercise wasn't the most exciting activity you had experienced, you began feeling better and seeing results from your hard work. You managed to get yourself out of bed early, to squeeze in a little gym time each day, and stick to your plan without much effort.
But then slowly, the novelty began to wear off. You started finding reasons to sleep in and found "better" things to do with your time. Then before you realized it, you had missed a whole week and your drive to continue was missing in action. Is this common scenario just another motivation issue? Probably not. Could something else be getting in the way of the excitement and effectiveness of your previously-rewarding workouts? The answer is yes! Luckily, you can learn to identify the signs that it's time to shake-up your workout routine so you can remain consistent and enthusiastic about exercise. Here are four of the most common signs and what you can do to get back on track:
Top 4 Signs Your Workout Isn't Working
1. Your workout bores you.
You used to like walking on the treadmill, so why do you dread your workout each day? It's easy to get bored if you stick with the same routine for too long. Sometimes it helps to add variety to your walks. For example, try taking your workout outside, adding speed intervals, putting new music on your iPod or bringing a friend along. If all of that isn't enough, then maybe it's time to try a new activity. Perhaps you've always wanted to try biking or are interested in a new class at your local gym. Change can help keep your workouts fun and interesting, giving you something to look forward to. And that is exactly what will keep you coming back for more.
2. Your workout isn't giving you results anymore.
Someone who does the same activity all the time is likely to plateau much sooner than someone who varies her workouts. Just as you can get bored by always doing the same exercises, your body can also adapt to these exercises so that they don't offer the same benefits that they once did. A little variety might be just the thing you need to get the scale moving again or bust through that strength plateau. "Variety" means either changing something about your current routine (adding speed, distance, hills, resistance, etc.) or trying a totally different activity. If you like some consistency and don't want to change your workout each time you hit the gym, change your routine at least every 4-8 weeks (this includes incorporating changes to both your cardio and strength training exercises). This will keep your muscles challenged, your body guessing, and the results coming!
3. Your workout leaves you more tired and sore than before.
Exercise should give you more energy, not leave you feeling rundown. If you're feeling overly tired or perpetually sore, you could be overtraining. Your body needs time for rest and recovery. It is during this down time that you build strength and endurance by allowing your muscles to rebuild and repair. If you don't give your body ample recovery time, you'll become weaker instead of stronger. If you have been overtraining, your first priority should be rest. You might need up to a week off to recharge mentally and physically. Once you are feeling better, start back slowly. Reevaluate your workout program and find ways to make changes that will prevent this from happening again.
4. Your workout is no longer challenging. Running a 10-minute mile, for example, becomes easier as time goes on. If your workouts aren't challenging you anymore, it can be helpful to wear a heart rate monitor. Your heart rate will change over time as you become more fit. By using a heart rate monitor, you'll know to change up or intensify your routine, and ensure that you're working in your target heart rate zone. Challenging your body improves your fitness level and can also provide a sense of accomplishment as you become stronger and work toward your goals.
Changing your workout routine whenever these signs arise will help keep your motivation high as you work to improve your fitness level. The key is to pay close attention to how you're feeling both physically and mentally. Exercise shouldn't be a chore that you dread, but something that makes you feel good about yourself!
But then slowly, the novelty began to wear off. You started finding reasons to sleep in and found "better" things to do with your time. Then before you realized it, you had missed a whole week and your drive to continue was missing in action. Is this common scenario just another motivation issue? Probably not. Could something else be getting in the way of the excitement and effectiveness of your previously-rewarding workouts? The answer is yes! Luckily, you can learn to identify the signs that it's time to shake-up your workout routine so you can remain consistent and enthusiastic about exercise. Here are four of the most common signs and what you can do to get back on track:
Top 4 Signs Your Workout Isn't Working
1. Your workout bores you.
You used to like walking on the treadmill, so why do you dread your workout each day? It's easy to get bored if you stick with the same routine for too long. Sometimes it helps to add variety to your walks. For example, try taking your workout outside, adding speed intervals, putting new music on your iPod or bringing a friend along. If all of that isn't enough, then maybe it's time to try a new activity. Perhaps you've always wanted to try biking or are interested in a new class at your local gym. Change can help keep your workouts fun and interesting, giving you something to look forward to. And that is exactly what will keep you coming back for more.
2. Your workout isn't giving you results anymore.
Someone who does the same activity all the time is likely to plateau much sooner than someone who varies her workouts. Just as you can get bored by always doing the same exercises, your body can also adapt to these exercises so that they don't offer the same benefits that they once did. A little variety might be just the thing you need to get the scale moving again or bust through that strength plateau. "Variety" means either changing something about your current routine (adding speed, distance, hills, resistance, etc.) or trying a totally different activity. If you like some consistency and don't want to change your workout each time you hit the gym, change your routine at least every 4-8 weeks (this includes incorporating changes to both your cardio and strength training exercises). This will keep your muscles challenged, your body guessing, and the results coming!
3. Your workout leaves you more tired and sore than before.
Exercise should give you more energy, not leave you feeling rundown. If you're feeling overly tired or perpetually sore, you could be overtraining. Your body needs time for rest and recovery. It is during this down time that you build strength and endurance by allowing your muscles to rebuild and repair. If you don't give your body ample recovery time, you'll become weaker instead of stronger. If you have been overtraining, your first priority should be rest. You might need up to a week off to recharge mentally and physically. Once you are feeling better, start back slowly. Reevaluate your workout program and find ways to make changes that will prevent this from happening again.
4. Your workout is no longer challenging. Running a 10-minute mile, for example, becomes easier as time goes on. If your workouts aren't challenging you anymore, it can be helpful to wear a heart rate monitor. Your heart rate will change over time as you become more fit. By using a heart rate monitor, you'll know to change up or intensify your routine, and ensure that you're working in your target heart rate zone. Challenging your body improves your fitness level and can also provide a sense of accomplishment as you become stronger and work toward your goals.
Changing your workout routine whenever these signs arise will help keep your motivation high as you work to improve your fitness level. The key is to pay close attention to how you're feeling both physically and mentally. Exercise shouldn't be a chore that you dread, but something that makes you feel good about yourself!
Thursday, June 3, 2010
15 Simple Truths about Food
Written by Nicole Nichols, Health Educator
We've all heard food myths and old wives' tales, and maybe even read a chain email that perpetuates a misconception about food or nutrition. Some make sense. Others seem plausible. What's the real truth? It's time to clean out the fridge, toss the food myths into the trash and replace them with honest-to-goodness truths about the food we eat. Here, we'll set the record straight about 15 common food myths.
Myth #1: Frozen foods are less nutritious than fresh foods.
Truth: Flash frozen vegetables, including those found in many frozen meals, may actually be more nutritious than some fresh vegetables. The moment a fruit or vegetable is picked from the farm, it begins to lose nutrients. Because food travels long distances from farm to table in today's global economy, the "fresh" foods at your supermarket can be several days or weeks old. Most frozen vegetables are flash frozen so quickly after picking that they retain most of their health-enhancing nutrients. They can be more economical, too!
Myth #2: You might as well give up all of your favorite foods if you want to lose weight.
Truth: This common practice can backfire even on those with very high levels of willpower. It's simply unrealistic to think that you can cut out all the foods that you love without ever rebelling. By categorizing foods as good and bad, you're only setting yourself up to want what you can't have. Good-for-you foods feel like punishment and bad-for-you foods are more alluring. Instead of giving up certain foods and forcing yourself to eat others, don't make any food off-limits. With moderation and portion control, you can still eat your favorites without straying from your goals. By allowing yourself little treats, you'll still be able to eat what you love, gradually decrease the intensity of your cravings, and avoid binges that could derail your weight loss efforts.
Myth #3: All packaged or processed foods are bad for you.
Truth: It's true that many packaged foods are highly processed, high in calories, sodium and added sugars, and low in nutrients. Just because a food comes in a package does not mean that it is highly processed or bad for you. Brown rice, whole-wheat bread, milk, low-fat yogurt, frozen vegetables, pre-sliced fruit--all of these healthful foods come in packages. Don't write off every food that's packaged. Look at the ingredients list first to be the judge about the quality of the food and its ingredients. Choose portion-controlled items that are made from the most wholesome ingredients and are low in sodium and added sweeteners.
Myth #4: If you don't eat enough healthy foods, taking a supplement will cover your bases.
Truth: A poor diet supplemented with vitamins is still a poor diet. Food remains your best source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytochemicals that are necessary for good health, and there has been no evidence to date that proves people who take supplements are any healthier than those who don't. Spend a little more time and money on delicious, tasty meals and snacks to meet your nutritional needs instead of supplements. Remember that a supplement is just that—a little extra in addition to wise food choices like real fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean proteins and calcium-rich dairy (or non-dairy) products.
Myth #5: All packaged foods are high in sodium.
Truth: Processed foods tend to be high in sodium because it helps preserve foods longer and increase flavor. However, consumer demand for low-sodium foods is slowly changing the marketplace. Manufacturers are responding by voluntarily reducing the sodium in many of their products—and not just the low-sodium varieties. Be sure to read nutrition facts labels to find out how much sodium a particular food contains and choose low-, no- or reduced-sodium versions of your favorite soups, frozen meals, canned foods, and snacks. Even butter is available without added salt!
Myth #6: Certain foods are 'good' for you while others are inherently 'bad' for your health.
Truth: There are no "good" or "bad" foods. A healthy, active body can utilize a certain amount of virtually all kinds of nutrients, including refined sugar and saturated fat—it's simply a question of reasonable amounts. Eating within moderation means finding your own balance of pleasure, health and nutrition while managing your weight. Enjoying a serving of chips during your favorite sitcom isn't going to cause detrimental health effects, but overconsumption of chips or other foods could lead to problems. Eating too much, even when it's healthy foods like fruits and vegetables, can also be detrimental to your health and weight-management efforts. Like many things in food and in life, moderation is essential.
Myth #7: White potatoes are 'simple' carbs that should be avoided.
Truth: The low-carb fad of the late '90s still lingers today, and many people still believe that white potatoes should be avoided at all costs. White potatoes are a healthful whole food. Just because they're white doesn't mean they're bad for you. Unlike refined foods like white rice and white bread, potatoes are nutritious, whole, rich in fiber and totally unprocessed. The potato can be a great source of energy and nutrients, including vitamins C, B-6, and folate and fiber (4 grams when you eat the skin). The key is to eat the right portion size and rethink your add-ons (and cooking method).
Myth #8: You need eight cups of water each day to be healthy.
Truth: I recommend that adults drink eight cups of water each day, but you might be surprised to know that there is no scientific evidence that everyone needs eight cups. In fact, most experts aren't even sure exactly where that recommendation came from. One source of this "myth" may be a 1945 article from the National Research Council, which noted that a "suitable allowance" of water for adults is 2.5 liters a day. Most of the water you need each day comes from the foods you eat, but there are still many benefits to drinking this much water.
Myth #9: Fat-free and reduced-calorie foods are the best options for weight loss.
Truth: These days, nearly every full-fat food, from cookies to ice cream, has a fat-free counterpart. It's the first instinct of many people to simply eat these reduced-fat and no-fat foods to control their weight; however, this tactic could actually derail your good intentions. Why? Because most of the fat-free foods you can buy are things you shouldn't be eating anyway: empty-calorie junk food and heavily processed sweets, crackers and cookies. These items have been available for more than a decade, but people aren't getting any thinner by eating them. Remember, dietary fat isn't the sole culprit that has made us overweight; excess calories are the issue, and fat-free doesn't mean calorie-free. All the reduced-fat foods in the world will not help you lose weight if you're making poor food choices or eating too many calories in general.
Myth #10: It doesn't matter what you eat as long as you're not eating too many calories.
Truth: Calories are important for weight management, but you should also focus on the quality of the foods your calories are coming from. There is a huge difference between eating 400 calories of chocolate for lunch and enjoying a 400-calorie salad loaded with leafy greens, beans, tomatoes, carrots and cucumbers. For one, the salad will fill you up longer and help you reach your daily quota for protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and health-enhancing phytochemicals. Chocolate, on the other hand, will leave you hungry (and undernourished) for the same number of calories. If you eat too many high-calorie, low-nutrient foods, you're more likely to overeat and less likely to meet your body's nutritional needs. This increases your risk of lifestyle diseases related to diet, such as diabetes, high cholesterol, and osteoporosis.
Myth #11: Bananas are so high in sugar that they cause weight gain.
Truth: One medium banana (approximately 7 inches long) provides 0 grams of fat, 3 grams of fiber, 105 calories, and 27 grams of carbs--it's cheaper and more nutritious than most 100-calorie snack packs. Those specs mean that bananas make great snacks, even for people with diabetes who need to follow carbohydrate-controlled diets. Why bananas are being called "fattening" or high in sugar compared with other fruits is a mystery. They do have a few more grams of carbohydrate than apples and oranges, but that does not mean they should be off limits!
Myth #12: It doesn't matter how fast or slow you eat each meal as long as you're not overeating.
Truth: There is truth in the benefit of slowing down and appreciating the world around you, food included. Focusing on every bite can help you practice mindful eating, which has been shown to cut down on calorie intake. Slowing down between bites allows you to recognize your feelings of hunger and satiety so you have a chance to realize when you’ve had enough—then stop before you clean your plate and later regret it. Eating at a relaxed pace also means you'll chew your food more thoroughly, thus experiencing fewer digestive issues and less intestinal upset. This may take some practice. The hustle and bustle of daily life often catches up with us and sometimes it takes a conscious effort to take it easy and give your brain a chance to enjoy the food and tell you when you’re full.
Myth #13: When going to a restaurant, the best choice for weight loss is usually a salad.
Truth: Salads can run the gamut of healthiness, depending on what is in them. Although that big bowl of greens may be packed full of antioxidants and fiber, it can also be laden with fat, cholesterol, and sodium--not to mention an overabundance of calories. Some restaurant salads can even contain more calories than a cheeseburger! That means ordering salad is no guarantee that you're eating a healthy meal. Do your research before you order and use these salad tips to make the best choice.
Myth #14: Certain foods, like celery, have 'negative' calories
Truth: The idea that there are negative calorie foods--foods that are so low in calories that simply digesting them burns more calories than they contain--is nothing more than wishful thinking. Certain low-calorie, water-rich foods like celery or cucumbers are often touted as negative-calorie foods. However, digesting and absorbing everything you eat each day uses just 10% of your total calorie intake each day (about 180 calories for someone who eats 1,800 calories per day). It is great to include low-calorie, high-fiber, and water-rich foods in your daily diet; these foods add nutrients, bulk, and volume to your diet and can help keep you full, but they still contain calories and should always be included in your calorie count. No food is a "free" food. Eating too much of any food can cause weight gain or inhibit weight loss.
Myth #15: The only way to eat healthier is to spend more time in the kitchen.
Truth: In an ideal world, we'd grow our own food, know our farmers, make every meal from scratch and know exactly how our food was prepared. Does that take a lot of time? You bet! But is that the singular definition of healthy eating? No way. You can still eat healthier without spending hours in the kitchen, especially if you rely on quick and simple recipes, a slow cooker, and other prepared food items that save you time in the kitchen. Canned foods are pre-cooked, frozen veggies and entrees are great in a pinch, and deli-sliced meats or pre-cut fruits can help you save time while still eating healthier. There are plenty of shortcuts that will help you eat healthier without investing more time into your meal preparation.
We've all heard food myths and old wives' tales, and maybe even read a chain email that perpetuates a misconception about food or nutrition. Some make sense. Others seem plausible. What's the real truth? It's time to clean out the fridge, toss the food myths into the trash and replace them with honest-to-goodness truths about the food we eat. Here, we'll set the record straight about 15 common food myths.
Myth #1: Frozen foods are less nutritious than fresh foods.
Truth: Flash frozen vegetables, including those found in many frozen meals, may actually be more nutritious than some fresh vegetables. The moment a fruit or vegetable is picked from the farm, it begins to lose nutrients. Because food travels long distances from farm to table in today's global economy, the "fresh" foods at your supermarket can be several days or weeks old. Most frozen vegetables are flash frozen so quickly after picking that they retain most of their health-enhancing nutrients. They can be more economical, too!
Myth #2: You might as well give up all of your favorite foods if you want to lose weight.
Truth: This common practice can backfire even on those with very high levels of willpower. It's simply unrealistic to think that you can cut out all the foods that you love without ever rebelling. By categorizing foods as good and bad, you're only setting yourself up to want what you can't have. Good-for-you foods feel like punishment and bad-for-you foods are more alluring. Instead of giving up certain foods and forcing yourself to eat others, don't make any food off-limits. With moderation and portion control, you can still eat your favorites without straying from your goals. By allowing yourself little treats, you'll still be able to eat what you love, gradually decrease the intensity of your cravings, and avoid binges that could derail your weight loss efforts.
Myth #3: All packaged or processed foods are bad for you.
Truth: It's true that many packaged foods are highly processed, high in calories, sodium and added sugars, and low in nutrients. Just because a food comes in a package does not mean that it is highly processed or bad for you. Brown rice, whole-wheat bread, milk, low-fat yogurt, frozen vegetables, pre-sliced fruit--all of these healthful foods come in packages. Don't write off every food that's packaged. Look at the ingredients list first to be the judge about the quality of the food and its ingredients. Choose portion-controlled items that are made from the most wholesome ingredients and are low in sodium and added sweeteners.
Myth #4: If you don't eat enough healthy foods, taking a supplement will cover your bases.
Truth: A poor diet supplemented with vitamins is still a poor diet. Food remains your best source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytochemicals that are necessary for good health, and there has been no evidence to date that proves people who take supplements are any healthier than those who don't. Spend a little more time and money on delicious, tasty meals and snacks to meet your nutritional needs instead of supplements. Remember that a supplement is just that—a little extra in addition to wise food choices like real fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean proteins and calcium-rich dairy (or non-dairy) products.
Myth #5: All packaged foods are high in sodium.
Truth: Processed foods tend to be high in sodium because it helps preserve foods longer and increase flavor. However, consumer demand for low-sodium foods is slowly changing the marketplace. Manufacturers are responding by voluntarily reducing the sodium in many of their products—and not just the low-sodium varieties. Be sure to read nutrition facts labels to find out how much sodium a particular food contains and choose low-, no- or reduced-sodium versions of your favorite soups, frozen meals, canned foods, and snacks. Even butter is available without added salt!
Myth #6: Certain foods are 'good' for you while others are inherently 'bad' for your health.
Truth: There are no "good" or "bad" foods. A healthy, active body can utilize a certain amount of virtually all kinds of nutrients, including refined sugar and saturated fat—it's simply a question of reasonable amounts. Eating within moderation means finding your own balance of pleasure, health and nutrition while managing your weight. Enjoying a serving of chips during your favorite sitcom isn't going to cause detrimental health effects, but overconsumption of chips or other foods could lead to problems. Eating too much, even when it's healthy foods like fruits and vegetables, can also be detrimental to your health and weight-management efforts. Like many things in food and in life, moderation is essential.
Myth #7: White potatoes are 'simple' carbs that should be avoided.
Truth: The low-carb fad of the late '90s still lingers today, and many people still believe that white potatoes should be avoided at all costs. White potatoes are a healthful whole food. Just because they're white doesn't mean they're bad for you. Unlike refined foods like white rice and white bread, potatoes are nutritious, whole, rich in fiber and totally unprocessed. The potato can be a great source of energy and nutrients, including vitamins C, B-6, and folate and fiber (4 grams when you eat the skin). The key is to eat the right portion size and rethink your add-ons (and cooking method).
Myth #8: You need eight cups of water each day to be healthy.
Truth: I recommend that adults drink eight cups of water each day, but you might be surprised to know that there is no scientific evidence that everyone needs eight cups. In fact, most experts aren't even sure exactly where that recommendation came from. One source of this "myth" may be a 1945 article from the National Research Council, which noted that a "suitable allowance" of water for adults is 2.5 liters a day. Most of the water you need each day comes from the foods you eat, but there are still many benefits to drinking this much water.
Myth #9: Fat-free and reduced-calorie foods are the best options for weight loss.
Truth: These days, nearly every full-fat food, from cookies to ice cream, has a fat-free counterpart. It's the first instinct of many people to simply eat these reduced-fat and no-fat foods to control their weight; however, this tactic could actually derail your good intentions. Why? Because most of the fat-free foods you can buy are things you shouldn't be eating anyway: empty-calorie junk food and heavily processed sweets, crackers and cookies. These items have been available for more than a decade, but people aren't getting any thinner by eating them. Remember, dietary fat isn't the sole culprit that has made us overweight; excess calories are the issue, and fat-free doesn't mean calorie-free. All the reduced-fat foods in the world will not help you lose weight if you're making poor food choices or eating too many calories in general.
Myth #10: It doesn't matter what you eat as long as you're not eating too many calories.
Truth: Calories are important for weight management, but you should also focus on the quality of the foods your calories are coming from. There is a huge difference between eating 400 calories of chocolate for lunch and enjoying a 400-calorie salad loaded with leafy greens, beans, tomatoes, carrots and cucumbers. For one, the salad will fill you up longer and help you reach your daily quota for protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and health-enhancing phytochemicals. Chocolate, on the other hand, will leave you hungry (and undernourished) for the same number of calories. If you eat too many high-calorie, low-nutrient foods, you're more likely to overeat and less likely to meet your body's nutritional needs. This increases your risk of lifestyle diseases related to diet, such as diabetes, high cholesterol, and osteoporosis.
Myth #11: Bananas are so high in sugar that they cause weight gain.
Truth: One medium banana (approximately 7 inches long) provides 0 grams of fat, 3 grams of fiber, 105 calories, and 27 grams of carbs--it's cheaper and more nutritious than most 100-calorie snack packs. Those specs mean that bananas make great snacks, even for people with diabetes who need to follow carbohydrate-controlled diets. Why bananas are being called "fattening" or high in sugar compared with other fruits is a mystery. They do have a few more grams of carbohydrate than apples and oranges, but that does not mean they should be off limits!
Myth #12: It doesn't matter how fast or slow you eat each meal as long as you're not overeating.
Truth: There is truth in the benefit of slowing down and appreciating the world around you, food included. Focusing on every bite can help you practice mindful eating, which has been shown to cut down on calorie intake. Slowing down between bites allows you to recognize your feelings of hunger and satiety so you have a chance to realize when you’ve had enough—then stop before you clean your plate and later regret it. Eating at a relaxed pace also means you'll chew your food more thoroughly, thus experiencing fewer digestive issues and less intestinal upset. This may take some practice. The hustle and bustle of daily life often catches up with us and sometimes it takes a conscious effort to take it easy and give your brain a chance to enjoy the food and tell you when you’re full.
Myth #13: When going to a restaurant, the best choice for weight loss is usually a salad.
Truth: Salads can run the gamut of healthiness, depending on what is in them. Although that big bowl of greens may be packed full of antioxidants and fiber, it can also be laden with fat, cholesterol, and sodium--not to mention an overabundance of calories. Some restaurant salads can even contain more calories than a cheeseburger! That means ordering salad is no guarantee that you're eating a healthy meal. Do your research before you order and use these salad tips to make the best choice.
Myth #14: Certain foods, like celery, have 'negative' calories
Truth: The idea that there are negative calorie foods--foods that are so low in calories that simply digesting them burns more calories than they contain--is nothing more than wishful thinking. Certain low-calorie, water-rich foods like celery or cucumbers are often touted as negative-calorie foods. However, digesting and absorbing everything you eat each day uses just 10% of your total calorie intake each day (about 180 calories for someone who eats 1,800 calories per day). It is great to include low-calorie, high-fiber, and water-rich foods in your daily diet; these foods add nutrients, bulk, and volume to your diet and can help keep you full, but they still contain calories and should always be included in your calorie count. No food is a "free" food. Eating too much of any food can cause weight gain or inhibit weight loss.
Myth #15: The only way to eat healthier is to spend more time in the kitchen.
Truth: In an ideal world, we'd grow our own food, know our farmers, make every meal from scratch and know exactly how our food was prepared. Does that take a lot of time? You bet! But is that the singular definition of healthy eating? No way. You can still eat healthier without spending hours in the kitchen, especially if you rely on quick and simple recipes, a slow cooker, and other prepared food items that save you time in the kitchen. Canned foods are pre-cooked, frozen veggies and entrees are great in a pinch, and deli-sliced meats or pre-cut fruits can help you save time while still eating healthier. There are plenty of shortcuts that will help you eat healthier without investing more time into your meal preparation.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
7 Reasons to Exercise this summer....
Summer has arrived and along with it the dreaded bathing suit season.Whether you can't wait to bare it all on the beach, or if you're still working toward a weight loss goal, exercise and proper nutrition are keys to looking and feeling great in summer months. But why else should you exercise?
Here are the top 7 reasons to exercise this summer:
Reason #1: To Melt Fat Away The most coveted side effect of exercise is, of course, fat burn. The combination of an exercise routine and a meal plan that promotes balanced blood sugar is the best known way to lose fat.
Here's what losing fat feels like:
Reason #3: To Increase Lean Tissue More muscle is good for many reasons. You see, muscle requires many more calories each day than fatty tissue. In fact, one pound of muscle burns 30-50 calories each day at rest - compared to a measly 9 calories per pound of fat. When you exercise your body composition will change to contain more lean tissue, thus resulting in extra calories burned while you sleep. What could be better than that?
Reason #4: To Stay Young Tim D. Spector, a professor of genetic epidemiology at King's College in London, led a study on the effects of exercise on aging. The results were astounding. They found that exercise appears to slow the shriveling of the protective tips on bundles of genes inside cells (called telomeres), which means a slowing of the aging process. "These data suggest that the act of exercising may actually protect the body against the aging process," said Spector. Here's the study in a nutshell:
Telomeres cap the ends of chromosomes and every time a cell divides, the telomeres get shorter. Once a telomere gets too short, that cell can no longer divide. Aging occurs as more and more cells reach the end of their telomeres and die. This results in weakened muscles, skin wrinkles, loss of eyesight and hearing, organ failure and slowed metal functioning.
The study analyzed the telomeres from the white bloods cells of twins over a 10-year period. Telomere length was used as a marker for the rate of biological aging.
It was found that the length of telomeres was directly related to that twin's activity level. "There was a gradient," Spector said. "As the amount of exercise increased, the telomere length increased."
People who did 100 minutes of weekly exercise had telomeres that looked like those from someone about 5-6 years younger than those who did 16 minutes of exercise each week.
People who did 3 hours of vigorous exercise each week had telomeres that looked like those from someone about 9 years younger.
http://www.edinformatics.com/news/exercise_and_aging.htm
Reason #5: To Prevent or Control Type 2 Diabetes Regular exercise helps to stabilize blood sugar levels. This is something that people with type 2 diabetes, or at risk for type 2 diabete, gain substantial benefits from.Exercise improves the body's use of insulin, and the related weight loss improves insulin sensitivity. Of course patients with type 2 diabetes need to get guidelines from their doctor before starting an exercise program.
Reason #6: To Lower Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Levels Exercise has shown to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels for these two reasons:
Weak Heart Muscles pump little blood with lots of effort. By exercising you strengthen your heart muscles and train them to pump more blood with less effort. The stronger your heart is the less pressure will be exerted on your arteries.
Exercise Increases HDL levels in some people - this means a decrease in your risk for heart disease. Other heart disease risk factors such as weight, diabetes and high blood pressure all show improvement with regular exercise.
Reason #7: To Feel Great The first thing that clients tell me after starting an exercise program is how much better they feel. Most didn't even realize how bad they felt. It is easy to get used to feeling sluggish, achy and unmotivated. Exercise boosts your energy levels and makes you feel amazing.
Here are the top 7 reasons to exercise this summer:
Reason #1: To Melt Fat Away The most coveted side effect of exercise is, of course, fat burn. The combination of an exercise routine and a meal plan that promotes balanced blood sugar is the best known way to lose fat.
Here's what losing fat feels like:
* Your pants become loose
* People around you begin to say that you look great
* A glance at yourself in the mirror makes you smile
* Your energy levels soar
* You feel amazing
Reason #3: To Increase Lean Tissue More muscle is good for many reasons. You see, muscle requires many more calories each day than fatty tissue. In fact, one pound of muscle burns 30-50 calories each day at rest - compared to a measly 9 calories per pound of fat. When you exercise your body composition will change to contain more lean tissue, thus resulting in extra calories burned while you sleep. What could be better than that?
Reason #4: To Stay Young Tim D. Spector, a professor of genetic epidemiology at King's College in London, led a study on the effects of exercise on aging. The results were astounding. They found that exercise appears to slow the shriveling of the protective tips on bundles of genes inside cells (called telomeres), which means a slowing of the aging process. "These data suggest that the act of exercising may actually protect the body against the aging process," said Spector. Here's the study in a nutshell:
Telomeres cap the ends of chromosomes and every time a cell divides, the telomeres get shorter. Once a telomere gets too short, that cell can no longer divide. Aging occurs as more and more cells reach the end of their telomeres and die. This results in weakened muscles, skin wrinkles, loss of eyesight and hearing, organ failure and slowed metal functioning.
The study analyzed the telomeres from the white bloods cells of twins over a 10-year period. Telomere length was used as a marker for the rate of biological aging.
It was found that the length of telomeres was directly related to that twin's activity level. "There was a gradient," Spector said. "As the amount of exercise increased, the telomere length increased."
People who did 100 minutes of weekly exercise had telomeres that looked like those from someone about 5-6 years younger than those who did 16 minutes of exercise each week.
People who did 3 hours of vigorous exercise each week had telomeres that looked like those from someone about 9 years younger.
http://www.edinformatics.com/news/exercise_and_aging.htm
Reason #5: To Prevent or Control Type 2 Diabetes Regular exercise helps to stabilize blood sugar levels. This is something that people with type 2 diabetes, or at risk for type 2 diabete, gain substantial benefits from.Exercise improves the body's use of insulin, and the related weight loss improves insulin sensitivity. Of course patients with type 2 diabetes need to get guidelines from their doctor before starting an exercise program.
Reason #6: To Lower Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Levels Exercise has shown to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels for these two reasons:
Weak Heart Muscles pump little blood with lots of effort. By exercising you strengthen your heart muscles and train them to pump more blood with less effort. The stronger your heart is the less pressure will be exerted on your arteries.
Exercise Increases HDL levels in some people - this means a decrease in your risk for heart disease. Other heart disease risk factors such as weight, diabetes and high blood pressure all show improvement with regular exercise.
Reason #7: To Feel Great The first thing that clients tell me after starting an exercise program is how much better they feel. Most didn't even realize how bad they felt. It is easy to get used to feeling sluggish, achy and unmotivated. Exercise boosts your energy levels and makes you feel amazing.
Stop Dieting and Start Living!
Have You Made the Change?
-- By Dean Anderson, Behavioral Psychology Expert
You’ve heard it so many times that you probably say it in your sleep. "Diets don’t work; if you want to lose weight and keep it off, you have to make a lifestyle change."
But what does a lifestyle change look or feel like, and how do you know when you’ve made one? The way some people talk about it, you’d think there’s some sort of mystical wisdom you get when you “make the change” that tells you when and what to eat, and how to stop worrying about the number on the scale. Does this mean you’ll finally stop craving chocolate and start liking tofu?
The basic difference between a diet mentality and a lifestyle mentality is simply a matter of perspective. Having the right perspective may not make tofu taste better than chocolate, but it can make all the difference in the world when it comes to achieving your goals, avoiding unnecessary suffering along the way, and hanging onto your achievements over the long haul.
Trust me on this. I’ve lost well over 350 pounds in my life—I know how to do that. But I also put 200 of those back on again, getting bigger each time. The 150 pounds I lost a few years ago is staying off, because I’ve changed my perspective.
Here are the main ways a diet differs from a lifestyle:
A diet is all about numbers—the number on the scale and the number of calories you eat and burn. Success is defined in terms of how well you stick to your numbers.
A lifestyle change is all about you. It’s about lining up your eating and physical activity with your real goals and desires. Success is defined in terms of how these changes make you feel about yourself.
The diet mentality assumes that reaching a certain weight is the key to finding happiness and solving other problems. That’s why messing up the numbers on any given day can be so upsetting—it means you’ve messed up on just about everything that really matters.
The lifestyle approach assumes that being overweight is usually the result of other problems, not the cause. Addressing these problems directly is the best way to solve both the problems themselves and your weight issues. This means focusing on many things, not just the numbers on the scale or the Nutrition Tracker. Numbers only tell a small part of the story, and “bad” numbers often provide good clues into areas that need attention.
Going on a diet involves an external and temporary change in eating technique. You start counting and measuring, and you stop eating some foods and substitute others, based on the rules of whatever diet plan you are using. Maybe you throw in some exercise to burn a few extra calories. You assume that it’s the technique that produces the results, not you. The results of a diet are external; if you’re lucky, you may change on the outside—but not on the inside. Once you reach your goal weight, you don’t need the technique anymore, and things gradually go back to “normal.” So does your weight—and then some. And, of course, all the problems you hoped the weight loss would solve are still there.
Making a lifestyle change involves an internal and permanent change in your relationship with food, eating, and physical activity. You recognize that the primary problem isn’t what you eat, or even how much you eat, but how and why you eat. Eating mindlessly and impulsively (without intention or awareness) and/or using food to manage your emotions and distract yourself from unpleasant thoughts—this is what really needs to change. Learning to take good care of yourself emotionally, physically, and spiritually—so that you don’t want to use eating to solve problems it really can’t—is a lifelong learning process that is constantly changing as your needs and circumstances change.
This doesn't mean the surface level things don't matter. Clearly, controlling how much and what you eat is vital, and caring how you look is a great motivator. The real issue here is where you fit into the picture. The key to both permanent weight loss and feeling satisfied and happy with yourself and your life is to take personal responsibility for what you can control, and let go of everything else.
Many factors that are out of your control—your genes, age, medical status and previous weight history— will affect your weight and appearance. These factors may determine how much weight you can lose, how quickly you’ll lose it, and how you’ll look and feel when you’ve gone as far as you can go. When you focus too narrowly on the numbers on the scale or what you see in the mirror, you are staking your happiness and satisfaction on things you really can’t control. That pretty much guarantees that you’ll be chronically worried, stressed, and uncomfortable—and more likely than ever to have problems with emotional eating.
And when you rely too much on external (diet) tools, techniques, and rules to determine your behavior, you are turning over your personal responsibility to the tools and techniques. If you find yourself frequently losing motivation or feeling powerless to control your own behavior, it’s probably because you’re counting on the tools to do your part of the work for you. You’re the only one who can decide what’s right for you; only you can change your attitude and perspective to match your personal reality.
There are many articles in the Resource Center and countless conversations on the Message Boards that offer good information and practical ideas for putting yourself in charge of your own lifestyle makeover. In fact, one of the best ways you can start the transition from a diet to a lifestyle is by taking on the responsibility to identify the problems you need to work on and gather the info you need. Whether it’s coming to terms with emotional eating, improving your body image, or finding a vision of the life you want to live—you’ll find that you aren’t alone and that plenty of support and help is available.
You just need to take that first step away from the diet mentality and closer to a new and improved life (style).
-- By Dean Anderson, Behavioral Psychology Expert
You’ve heard it so many times that you probably say it in your sleep. "Diets don’t work; if you want to lose weight and keep it off, you have to make a lifestyle change."
But what does a lifestyle change look or feel like, and how do you know when you’ve made one? The way some people talk about it, you’d think there’s some sort of mystical wisdom you get when you “make the change” that tells you when and what to eat, and how to stop worrying about the number on the scale. Does this mean you’ll finally stop craving chocolate and start liking tofu?
The basic difference between a diet mentality and a lifestyle mentality is simply a matter of perspective. Having the right perspective may not make tofu taste better than chocolate, but it can make all the difference in the world when it comes to achieving your goals, avoiding unnecessary suffering along the way, and hanging onto your achievements over the long haul.
Trust me on this. I’ve lost well over 350 pounds in my life—I know how to do that. But I also put 200 of those back on again, getting bigger each time. The 150 pounds I lost a few years ago is staying off, because I’ve changed my perspective.
Here are the main ways a diet differs from a lifestyle:
A diet is all about numbers—the number on the scale and the number of calories you eat and burn. Success is defined in terms of how well you stick to your numbers.
A lifestyle change is all about you. It’s about lining up your eating and physical activity with your real goals and desires. Success is defined in terms of how these changes make you feel about yourself.
The diet mentality assumes that reaching a certain weight is the key to finding happiness and solving other problems. That’s why messing up the numbers on any given day can be so upsetting—it means you’ve messed up on just about everything that really matters.
The lifestyle approach assumes that being overweight is usually the result of other problems, not the cause. Addressing these problems directly is the best way to solve both the problems themselves and your weight issues. This means focusing on many things, not just the numbers on the scale or the Nutrition Tracker. Numbers only tell a small part of the story, and “bad” numbers often provide good clues into areas that need attention.
Going on a diet involves an external and temporary change in eating technique. You start counting and measuring, and you stop eating some foods and substitute others, based on the rules of whatever diet plan you are using. Maybe you throw in some exercise to burn a few extra calories. You assume that it’s the technique that produces the results, not you. The results of a diet are external; if you’re lucky, you may change on the outside—but not on the inside. Once you reach your goal weight, you don’t need the technique anymore, and things gradually go back to “normal.” So does your weight—and then some. And, of course, all the problems you hoped the weight loss would solve are still there.
Making a lifestyle change involves an internal and permanent change in your relationship with food, eating, and physical activity. You recognize that the primary problem isn’t what you eat, or even how much you eat, but how and why you eat. Eating mindlessly and impulsively (without intention or awareness) and/or using food to manage your emotions and distract yourself from unpleasant thoughts—this is what really needs to change. Learning to take good care of yourself emotionally, physically, and spiritually—so that you don’t want to use eating to solve problems it really can’t—is a lifelong learning process that is constantly changing as your needs and circumstances change.
This doesn't mean the surface level things don't matter. Clearly, controlling how much and what you eat is vital, and caring how you look is a great motivator. The real issue here is where you fit into the picture. The key to both permanent weight loss and feeling satisfied and happy with yourself and your life is to take personal responsibility for what you can control, and let go of everything else.
Many factors that are out of your control—your genes, age, medical status and previous weight history— will affect your weight and appearance. These factors may determine how much weight you can lose, how quickly you’ll lose it, and how you’ll look and feel when you’ve gone as far as you can go. When you focus too narrowly on the numbers on the scale or what you see in the mirror, you are staking your happiness and satisfaction on things you really can’t control. That pretty much guarantees that you’ll be chronically worried, stressed, and uncomfortable—and more likely than ever to have problems with emotional eating.
And when you rely too much on external (diet) tools, techniques, and rules to determine your behavior, you are turning over your personal responsibility to the tools and techniques. If you find yourself frequently losing motivation or feeling powerless to control your own behavior, it’s probably because you’re counting on the tools to do your part of the work for you. You’re the only one who can decide what’s right for you; only you can change your attitude and perspective to match your personal reality.
There are many articles in the Resource Center and countless conversations on the Message Boards that offer good information and practical ideas for putting yourself in charge of your own lifestyle makeover. In fact, one of the best ways you can start the transition from a diet to a lifestyle is by taking on the responsibility to identify the problems you need to work on and gather the info you need. Whether it’s coming to terms with emotional eating, improving your body image, or finding a vision of the life you want to live—you’ll find that you aren’t alone and that plenty of support and help is available.
You just need to take that first step away from the diet mentality and closer to a new and improved life (style).
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